Gum Disease
Once gum disease takes hold, tooth lose is imminent unless the condition is quickly treated.
Periodontal disease occurs when the gums become infected and swell causing connective tissue between the tooth and bone to be damaged. This is how tooth lose occurs in gum disease cases. Many times, gum disease follows the bacterial infection Gingivitis.
Gingivitis shows up as chronically inflamed gums. If diagnosed early it can be reversed by a dentist or periodontist. But if the condition is not addressed, it will eventually become gum disease, a significantly more serious condition.
Anyone can get gum disease. Often, poor dental hygiene is the culprit and regular brushing and flossing would have prevented establishment of the harmful bacteria in the first place. Hormonal or metabolic changes in the body can also trigger gum disease – pregnancy is a good example of a situation where this may arise as is menopause and puberty. Diabetes, kidney and heart disease and other medical conditions that interfere with the body’s sugar production have also been linked to gum disease. Sometimes medications that are prescribed for serious medical conditions cause gums to recede because they cause side effects such as dry mouth that restricts saliva flow. Saliva’s natural purpose is to flush bacteria from the mouth. Because of this, senior citizens will be most susceptible to gum disease because dry mouth is a normal aspect of aging. Seniors also tend to take more medications which means their likelihood of having a prescription-relation is higher.
Receding, bleeding gums are one of the most visible signs of periodontal disease. Sometimes the gums can recede to the point where the root of the tooth is exposed – very noticeable pain and sensitivity in the tooth is the result. The decay and bacteria in the oral area can also cause bad breath. While gum disease is most times not the cause of bad breath, if the bad breath is persistent and experienced in conjunction with bleeding or receding gums, a trip to the dentist is warranted.
A dentist can analyze the gum area and give an accurate diagnosis. In developing a treatment plan the dentist may recommend several ways of treating gum disease. Antibiotics can treat the infection and the dentist can remove plaque and tartar from the teeth with a professional cleaning. Other procedures including deep scaling and root planning can also aid in cleaning up the diseased area.
Sometimes, the gum disease will have progressed to where advanced techniques may also be needed. Surgery to reduce the size of the periodontal flap between the teeth and gums may be performed or laser therapy. Laser therapy relies on intense light to reduce the pocket size, but the ultimate benefit of the practice is questionable. A new procedure called Tissue Regeneration involves grafting bone to aid in re-growth.
The cost of gum disease is great, especially given the fact that in many cases it is preventable. Out of pocket expenses will depend on extent of insurance coverage and the degree of treatment received but can easily stretch into thousands of dollars.